Open to anyone, no pass required, a trek on skis up Sun Valley’s centerpiece mountain, Baldy, or its sister mountain, Dollar, is a perfect way to start or end the day here in the Wood River Valley. With vertical climbs of 3,400 feet and 628 feet, respectively, both offer a pleasant way to get outdoor exercise in the winter.
Photo Courtesy Sun Valley Resort, Sofia DeWolfe Photography
“I love hiking up Baldy because it’s hard. And I get to ski down!” says Hannah Littell, a Sun Valley Ski Patroller. “There’s also a community of Baldy hikers, and that’s fun to be a part of.” Public access to hiking on Bald Mountain is available from November 1 through April 30 daily, with designated times from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and again from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. These time slots help minimize interactions between hikers and heavy machinery such as snowmobiles and snowcats used by groomers. Reflective gear and headlamps are required, and hikers must stay on the designated uphill and downhill routes for safety.
Photo by Tal Roberts
Hiking hours on Dollar Mountain are less strict. Hiking in the evening can begin at 4:30 p.m. and go throughout the night. Hikers should be off the hill by the time operations start at 8 a.m. The safety precautions are the same as on Baldy: wear reflective gear and lights and stay on the designated uphill route. “We encourage people to wear lights even before it’s dark,” says Mike Fitzpatrick, director of Guest Services at Sun Valley.
Photo by Tal Roberts
“We just want people to be safe. It’s important to be seen.” No dogs are allowed on Bald Mountain but they are welcome on Dollar, provided that skiers and hikers clean up after them and keep them under control.